Senior traditions are an important part of high school, and Waterford High is no exception. From painting a large rock at the front of the school to running around the halls together for New Years, these memories and traditions are special and cherished by the student body. 

Some students wish to change or include more traditions, such as painted parking spots and senior leave or late.

Yana Abramova, a senior at Waterford High, said “Senior traditions are very important to high school culture. It’s a final bonding moment for the whole class, it brings people together. The last hurrah before college.” 

Yana wished the school would allow painting parking spots: “Painting these spots could be an incredible fundraising opportunity, while personalizing something cute to have.” She agreed that it is better to have more money for future purchases. 

According to the website, SCHOOLinSITES, the average fee for painting a parking spot is $25. This does not include the paint or supplies themselves, but covers the cost of painting over the parking lot at the end of the year.

Money raised during events like these can be used for future events like prom, homecoming, class dinners, and senior gifts.

There are also artistic aspects to painting parking spots. Ms. Bono, an art teacher at Waterford High School, agreed “Parking spaces painted by seniors would be one more privilege they can earn. Our building is very plain and in general needs more color and expression throughout – so this would be one way to add to that, even though it’s outside. “The parking lot designated for seniors could be the perfect place to start. 

One setback to this idea is censoring all of the art. There would need to be adult supervision at the time the painting took place, to ensure that no inappropriate pictures or writing was revealed. Some students might say that this takes away the fun, but knowing that there are children who visit the school to see their siblings or games is important to keep in mind. 

Due to issues such as vandalism and destruction of property, students have dug themselves into large holes by acting foolish. An English teacher at Waterford High School, Mr. Ahlcrona, says, “Ensuring that everyone graduates is pretty important.” 

Decorating your own spot can be a fun time with your friends and can also help seniors express themselves in a good way. Some might argue that there aren’t enough spaces in the senior lot to paint, but it is likely that not everyone will want to paint their own spot. There are alternative lots, and some people just aren’t interested in senior traditions.

Last year, one student, Sam San Juan, presented a parking lot painting proposal at a Board of Education meeting.The main reason as to why the proposition was turned down was the number of spots that are available. 

Disappointment is a common theme as more students claim to have fewer study halls at the beginning and end of the day. Senior leave and senior late are privileges that the class has to earn, but students feel as though these privileges are being taken from the class of 2024. 

Jacob Beardsley, another 12th grader, said, “I feel like the senior traditions are going away slowly. We’re losing the ones that older classes used to do. Less people are getting senior leave and senior late than previous years, specifically the class of ‘21 and ‘22.”

During these years, most of the senior class, along with juniors, were able to come and go to school more freely.  As the years went on, the strictness of privileges has become more common.

Other traditions that took place every year are now also being taken away, along with senior late and leave. 

“The New Years run being taken away and senior prank having to be approved makes it hard to have fun during senior year,” Jacob added.

These traditions might not seem very important to the school board or staff, but for the class of 2024 and upcoming students, they are valuable privileges for the hard work they have put in through the years.. Making these lasting memories and being a part of something bigger than yourself is a big part of high school.